No. 59 Operational Training Unit RAF

Hawker Hurricane Mark X, AG111 ‘HK-G’, of No. 59 Operational Training Unit, on the ground at Milfield, Northumberland.

Brief History

RAF Operational Training Units were the last stage of training for aircrew before being assigned to an operational unit in NW Europe and other theatres of war. By this stage, individuals had undertaken all their preparatory and qualifaction training. The RAAF ran its own OTU's in Australia, but RAAF crews assigned to other theatres of war went through the RAF units.

No. 59 Operational Training Unit (59 OTU) was formed in December 1940 at RAF Turnhouse to train single-seat fighter pilots. No. 59 OTU was re-formed in February 1945 at RAF Acklington to train fighter-bomber pilots using the Hawker Typhoon

Trainees

• Gordon Kevin Johnson 8 Jun 1943 - 23 Jan 1944